The Shanxi government's application to set a united foundation for coal-based low-carbon industries was approved by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), according to the Shanxi Science and Technology Department on Dec 7. The approval marked the cooperation between the Shanxi government and NSFC will step into practical operation based on a fund invested by both parties.

This newly-founded foundation will focus on key research fields related to coal-based low-carbon industries, such as coal exploration, coal chemicals and new materials, through the operation model of the NSFC. By utilizing the research resources in Shanxi, and in the country, the foundation strives to work out the solutions for key technological concerns and crucial scientific problems.

The foundation is expected to be a driving force to further optimize the province's industrial innovation chain in the field of coal-based low-carbon. It will serve as a national platform to push forward the province's high-carbon industries to develop in a low-carbon way, promote black coal in green style development and develop fossil energy in a clean way.

In order to attract research professionals and resources nationwide and carry out basic and application research in certain fields with the leading role of the NSFC, the system of the united foundation is a method to unite the NSFC and local governments, enterprises and related departments.

Edited by Michael Thai